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Colton Herta is failing to show Cadillac that he should replace Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Perez in the 2027 season, so the American crew are starting to eye Ferrari’s rising star.
Bottas and Perez both signed multi-year contracts with Cadillac to spearhead their debut F1 season in 2026. But at least one out of the Finnish and Mexican drivers are now expected to leave Cadillac at the end of this year, which should have been the news that Herta is craving.
Herta gave up his seat as a leading IndyCar Series driver to move to Formula 2 in 2026 in his bid to learn about the F1 paddock and adapt to the Pirelli tyres in view of a future drive with Cadillac. The American also acts as Cadillac’s test driver and has driven during FP1 sessions.
Should Cadillac give Colton Herta a shot next year?
Cadillac could sign Rafael Camara for 2027 as they are ‘concerned’ by Colton Herta’s F2 form
It has also been suggested that Cadillac may ignore Herta’s F2 struggles and give him his F1 debut in 2027, if Bottas or Perez – who is attracting interest from rival teams – opts to leave. But the Italian edition of Motorsport.com now notes that Cadillac are eyeing Rafael Camara.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Cadillac are ‘concerned’ that Herta is still struggling to adapt to F2, with the American sitting 16th in the standings entering the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The 26-year-old’s highest finish so far is P5 in the Barcelona Sprint and his highs during Feature Races this term are P7.
Herta’s struggles are fuelling ‘doubts’ at Cadillac about his ‘readiness’ to graduate into F1, so thoughts are turning to Camara with the Ferrari Driver Academy prospect fighting for the F2 title as a rookie. Camara graduated to F2 after winning the 2025 F3 title in his rookie season.
Cadillac are showing ‘growing’ levels of interest in Camara, as ‘several signs’ suggest that at least one of Bottas or Perez could leave. Also, Cadillac think signing Camara for the 2027 F1 season could allow them to enjoy a closer ‘technical and sporting relationship’ with Ferrari.
Ferrari currently supply Cadillac’s engines as part of a contract through at least the 2028 F1 season, after which General Motors is expected to produce a works power unit. So, Cadillac see Camara as their chance to ‘significantly’ boost their bond with Ferrari from next season.
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But Haas are interested in signing Camara for 2027, as well, as the other American team on the F1 grid are considering moving on from Esteban Ocon. Haas also already have close ties with Ferrari, and currently field fellow FDA talent Oliver Bearman – who is expected to stay.
What may help Cadillac is that recent reports have suggested that Haas are leaning towards replacing Ocon with Leonardo Fornaroli in 2027. Yet Haas would still like Camara to serve as their reserve driver in 2027, even if McLaren junior Fornaroli were to partner with Bearman.
Unlike Herta, Camara also already has the required level of FIA superlicence to race in F1. As things stand, Herta only boasts an FIA superlicence that lets him take part in F1 FP1 sessions and must finish the 2026 F2 season in the top 10 in the standings to earn an F1 race licence.
If Herta’s F2 results fail to improve, Cadillac can get the Californian over the line with further F1 FP1 appearances this season. Herta made his second F1 FP1 outing for Cadillac on Friday at the Hungarian Grand Prix, following his F1 weekend debut at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP.
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